Framing the
Plank-on-Bulkhead Hull
1. Bending Wood
Building a P-O-B hull requires bending
some wood without distorting its
desired position (doing so stresses glue
joints and fasteners). Although the term
steam-bent” is used to identify the
process, there are three ways to do it.
Steam bending:
Hold the piece over a
kettle of boiling water and bend. Hold
the wood in position until it cools. It
should remain in that position, but may
spring back slightly.
Soaking:
Submerge the piece in warm
water for several hours. Try adding a lit-
tle household or pure ammonia. This
speeds up the soaking process and
makes the fibers slippery so the wood
bends easier. After soaking, hold the
piece in position with a fixture and let it
dry completely.
Soldering iron:
Large soldering irons
with a tubular end are ideal. Clamp the
iron upright in a vise. While the iron
heats, soak the strip of wood in tap
water. Some modelers prefer bending
around the tube near the handle (it’s not
as hot), while other use the shank. Move
the strip back and forth against the iron.
Its heat turns water into steam and dri-
ves it into the wood. The trick is to wait
until you feel the wood wanting to yield
before starting the bend. Begin too soon
or apply too much pressure and the
strip will break.
The wood dries rapidly, so care must be
taken to avoid scorching. Resoak and
reapply it to the iron until the desired
shape is achieved. Once the piece is
formed, it can go directly on the model.
Because the wood’s memory has been
permanently altered, it will never spring
back to its former shape, meaning no
stress on any timber or fasteners. Spend
some time acquainting yourself with
this method and you’ll never bother
with fixtures again.
STAGE 1
8
Fig. 1-1 Center Keel Assembly
Wax paper or plastic wrap
Weight
Glue joint let dry 24 hrs.
Building board 3/4" particle
board recommended
Use straight edge to
align reference lines
Fig. 1-2 Installing the Keel, Stem & Sternpost
Taper first
Pre-fit joint before gluing
Pins or dowels as
needed for alignment
Wipe off glue squeeze-out
Fig. 1-3 Cutting the Rabbet into each side of Center Keel
Fit a scrap piece of
plank as you carve
Plank
Amidships
Bearding line
Rabbet
Aft and bow
Chisel out
Bearding line
Cut 1/16" deep
Fig. 1-4 Cutting Bulkhead Bevels
Cut bevel
and sand
Inboard bevel
Mark bevel
Glue
